An analysis of coal mining accidents in Türkiye: A decade of incidents

Authors : El Hassen Diahah, Oktay Şahbaz

Pages : 25-42

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Publication Date : 2024-08-31

Article Type : Research

Abstract :This article presents the critical issue of coal production accidents in Türkiye within the last decade, providing a comprehensive analysis of these accidents to shed light on the safety and challenges of coal production. Beginning with setting the stage for the inquiry on coal\'s significance as a primary source of energy, the research compares Türkiye and the USA’s coal production sector accident rates and revealing high contrasts changes within the same period. The past decade underground mine accidents examinations identified key contributing factors to these incidents, enriched by insights from leading experts specializing in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) within the Turkish coal mining sector. Moreover, the analysis of safety measures and regulatory changes over the timespan, revealed the reactive nature of these amendments rather than proactive, which could have served in mitigating these accidents or anticipating the hazards responsible for these tragedies. This study concludes with a discussion of lessons learned from these accidents, proposing a set of forward-thinking suggestions that aim to reduce accident rates, enhance safety protocols, and prevent future tragedies. This investigation not only illuminates the urgent need for proactive and preventive strategies in mine risk management but also calls on decision-makers, industry shareholders, and the global community to put the lives and well of workers in this field above all else. Through the balanced combination of the available methods used in this research, this article aims to contribute deeply to improving coal production safety standards in Türkiye and the world.
Keywords : Kazalar, kömür madenciliği, iş sağlığı ve Güvenliği, Turkiye, risk yönetimi